Well a couple of weeks ago I took the 400PDK to the lease to try and reduce the hog population. At the same time I wanted to test the performace of some bullets.

I had the 300gr Hornday RN loaded to 2675fps. The 400gr Hornday soft point at 2265fps (I assume, they were the Midway seconds they have an exposed lead tip). Also took along some 210gr HP pistol bullets. Both the 300& 400 were measured and about 75fps below my max to date.

Got there the first evening just in time to make sure the sights were on at what my buddy said was 100yds(more on that later) the 400 was dead on the 300 about 1" high and the 210 1" low. I was told the rancher had set a new stand with a corn feeder 100yds away over near the tank so I went there before first light.

It was still very dark but as I could see the feeder it looked further away to me. But I "assumed" my buddy knew what he was talking about. So out walked a nice 100# perfect for sausage with a coupel smaller. Loaded the 210s aimed at the side of his head and pulled the trigger knowing he would drop. Wrong, off he ran. Went to the feeder no blood but a groove cut in the dirt. Stepped it off it was 135yds. Went back and stepped off the range is was about 85yds. I hadn't shot the 210s over a chrony but the load of 4227 Loadtech said should be around 2300fps. Went back to the stand tested it and the bullet hit 6" low. That says the bullet was more in the range of 1700fps. I know better than to believe that darn program.

Anyway that evening took the 300s. This time a large black body walked out. Put the cross hairs on the bottom of its ear and pulled. Down it went with no movement. She dropped like a stone. I had hoped to see what the bullet looked like but the off side had a nice exit hole about 2 calibers. Hauled her way for coyote feed.

Next morning out walked a lone large Boar. He was quartering toward me. Just insided the shoulder and fired. Dropped like a stone. Again all I had was an exit wound just in front of the ham.

So lessons learned. Never trust your buddies guess at ranges when you own a range finder. Never trust a computer program to give you the velocity without checking. Both the 300 & 400 seem to hold up and made quick kills. I'm still waiting to see what the darn bullets look like after impact.

Great stuff!

400 grain softs @ 2265 is impressive!

What is the recoil like and how much does the gun weigh?

quote:

400 grain softs @ 2265 is impressive

OK having a senior moment. These bullets were not the 400 Hornady softs they were the last of the 400 Unknowns I had picked up at the gun show. The 400Hornadys are on the bench waiting for testing. The Hornadys are about .1" longer so I'm expecting a lower velocity but heck even 2100-2150 will get the job done. If I was going to make a constant diet of 400s I would be looking for the shorter bullets.

Back to the original question the rifle weights 10# it is currently sitting in a Hogue stock with lead in the forarms and butt. Nice heavy piece of bastogne waiting to be finished.

300s are not bad less than my 375H&H the 400s could use a heavier stock but 65gr load vs 75-80 for a 458wmag you can tell the difference. I would be concerned with the stock on a steady diet of the 400s.